By
Shekara Anthony
The National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC, has called for stronger inter-agency collaboration and effective strategic communication to boost public confidence, community resilience and food security in Nigeria.
The National Coordinator of the Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, made the call in Abuja at an inter-agency stakeholders’ coordination roundtable on the AgriShield Strategic Communication Campaign.
Major General Adamu Laka, represented at the event by the the Director Policy and Strategy at the centre, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, said the initiative, organised in collaboration with TAG International, was designed to support safe access to livelihoods and strengthen confidence among communities affected by terrorism and violent extremism.
He said Borno State, which is the pilot location for the campaign, has endured years of terrorism and violent extremism, but its people have continued to demonstrate courage and resilience.
According to him, many families are returning to their livelihoods, while farmers are making efforts to return to their farms despite security concerns.
Major General Laka emphasized that the campaign would provide clear, credible and timely information to support communities as they rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
The National Coordinator reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces, security and intelligence agencies to protecting communities, stressing that farmers and other citizens are not alone in the efforts to restore security.
He, however, said security operations must be complemented by trust, cooperation and responsible communication between government institutions and the people.
Major General Laka noted that effective communication is essential to addressing concerns, countering misinformation and strengthening public confidence.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the National Counter Terrorism Centre and the Network of Civil Society Organisations, Borno State, saying the network’s community reach, combined with the Centre’s strategic communication mandate, would provide a practical platform for engaging communities.
He said the AgriShield campaign must reflect local realities and communicate through trusted channels, including radio programmes in Hausa and Kanuri, while incorporating the voices of farmers, community members and frontline security personnel.
Major General Adamu Laka urged participating agencies to treat the meeting as a working session and agree on clear responsibilities, coordination channels and timelines.
He directed each agency to identify a senior communication or public relations officer as a focal point for the campaign.
The National Coordinator expressed appreciation to TAG International and other stakeholders supporting the initiative, and called for practical recommendations to ensure that AgriShield moves beyond the planning stage to reach communities whose confidence and livelihoods the campaign seeks to strengthen and protect.
In a remark, the Special Adviser to the National Security Adviser on Strategic Communication and Civil Society Liaison, Dr Chido Onumah, says the livelihood of Nigerians remains a major national security concern.
He said the issue of livelihood affects the entire food chain, from farmers who produce food, to those who transport it and the consumers who depend on it.
Dr Onumah, said the programme had been in development for several months and expressed optimism that the stakeholders’ meeting would help strengthen its implementation.
The Special Adviser called for robust discussions, saying the ideas and contributions of participants would be critical to the success of the programme.
He encouraged stakeholders to offer new ideas and practical suggestions that could improve the initiative, stressing the need for all parties to work closely towards achieving its objectives.
